Odos 1866 (Market Street)

Odos 1866, also called Market Street, is the main traditional market lane of Heraklion in Crete, Greece, running between Lions Square and Kornarou Square in the old town. The narrow, partly covered street is lined with stalls and small shops selling fresh produce, olives, honey, cheese, dried herbs, spices, raki and souvenirs, and it is one of the best places in the city to see everyday local shopping. Visitors can expect stalls displaying Cretan staples such as thyme honey, graviera and mizithra cheeses, dakos rusks, olive oil, herbal teas and bottles of tsikoudia, together with leather goods, knives, textiles and tourist items. Many stall holders offer small tastes, which makes it easy to sample before buying. A visit takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer for those who stop for coffee or a snack at the cafes and bakeries along the way. The street is busiest on weekday mornings when produce and cheese stalls are at their peak, and in the afternoon and evening it fills with tour groups and strollers. Typical hours are Monday to Saturday from about 08:00 to 21:00, with many stalls closed on Sunday. Entry is free, and a budget of EUR 5-15 covers snacks and a few small local products. The best photographs capture the colourful stalls, hanging herbs and strings of dried peppers, and the street narrows in places, so visitors should watch for deliveries and bargain politely. Odos 1866 connects naturally with the Morosini Fountain, the Venetian Loggia and Kornarou Square with the Bembo Fountain, so it fits easily into a walking route of the old town. Prices are usually marked, but some bargaining on souvenirs is accepted.